Cerbaiona
チェルバイオーナ
A cult Montalcino estate producing legendary, elegant Brunello.
Founded in 1977 by Diego Molinari, a retired Alitalia pilot nicknamed 'Il Comandante,' Cerbaiona has become one of the most revered cult producers in Montalcino. Molinari and his wife Nora purchased a 17th-century farmhouse on the prized east-facing slopes northeast of Montalcino town at roughly 350m altitude, planting just a few hectares of Sangiovese Grosso. Inspired by the traditional philosophy of Biondi-Santi, Molinari pursued a resolutely old-school, low-intervention style focused on long aging and structure over fashion, and the estate's first vintage in 1982 quickly built a cult following. In late 2015, at age 84, Molinari sold Cerbaiona to a group of American investors led by wine collector Gary Rieschel and estate manager Matthew Fioretti, with Maurizio Bovini overseeing vineyard and cellar work and the vineyards converted to organic farming. The new team has preserved the estate's traditional, terroir-driven approach while modernizing viticulture, and Cerbaiona's Brunello di Montalcino remains prized for its exceptional elegance, complexity, and longevity.
www.cerbaiona.it/ ↗Cuvées
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Who Is This For?
Ideal for collectors and connoisseurs seeking the pinnacle of traditional, old-school Brunello di Montalcino.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who founded Cerbaiona?
- Cerbaiona was founded in 1977 by Diego Molinari, a retired Alitalia pilot nicknamed 'Il Comandante,' along with his wife Nora, on a prized east-facing hillside northeast of Montalcino.
- What makes Cerbaiona wines unique?
- Cerbaiona wines are defined by their exceptional balance, refined tannins, and the unique high-altitude terroir of their Montalcino vineyards, made in a resolutely traditional, low-intervention style.
- Who owns Cerbaiona today?
- Since late 2015, Cerbaiona has been owned by a group of American investors led by wine collector Gary Rieschel and estate manager Matthew Fioretti, with Maurizio Bovini overseeing viticulture and winemaking.
- Does Cerbaiona pair well with Japanese cuisine?
- Yes, the wine's sophisticated structure and acidity pair beautifully with high-quality grilled meats, game, and umami-rich dishes like soy-glazed wagyu.
- Is Cerbaiona considered a cult wine?
- Yes, it is widely recognized as a cult producer due to its limited production, historical significance under founder Diego Molinari, and consistently high critical acclaim.